Where are you located? I've had new windshields put in both of my Passats; here in the United States, the difference between a replacement (Safelite) and OEM was only about $50. $200 vs $250.

 

Does insurance not cover damaged windscreens?
Last two I have replaced were covered this way.

 

Usually. I know the price difference because I had to persuade the insurance company I "needed" the OEM part. I'm assuming the OP isn't covered or he wouldn't be asking.

 

yes.. thank you for your reply ..
in fact i am far away from USA .. i am out of insurance unfortunately .. i am asking about replacing my windscreen by a unoriginal one .. is this will make side effect on my car in case of high speed or raining .. the original one costs about 400$ AND THE UNORIGINAL COSTA ONLY 120$ .
what is your opinion ..

 

Without knowing the manufacturer and quality of the replacement, it's hard to say; but I'd have a very, very hard time spending more than three times as much for one piece of glass over another.

Questions to ask are if the replacement is laminated safety glass, if it's certified for sale in your country, and if it comes with a warranty. And, if the seller is installing it, do they guarantee it fits properly and will be leak free. The windshield is an important part of the safety equipment in the car; a knock-off that doesn't meet specs can be catastrophically dangerous in an accident.

Also note that Passat windshields are supplied with and without rain sensors, and with and without tint at the top.

 

I've had 2 cars with cheap replacements and did not have a problem with either. As noted above, just make sure it is approved glass.

 

thank you very much for your kind reply

i will do my best ..

 

Original Glass + 2 Replacements

I am the original owner of my '99 (DOM 12/98) with 219,500 + mis.

I do not remember the original VW glass being nearly as soft as what I percieve of the two replacements. What I mean is that New England road sand dust has scoured my replacements in a way that the original glass never was.

Is there such a thing as soft versus hard glass? I know nothing about glass engineering, but suspect that cheaper aftermarket replacement windshields compromise on something in order to be less expensive.

 

Yes, there are various formulations of glass. IMHO, even the stock VW windshield is unusually soft; I replaced the one in my 2000, not because it was broken, but because it was so scratched and pitted that driving into the sunlight was problematic. I've never had this problem with other cars. Is aftermarket softer still? It hardly seems possible.

BTW, for those of you who've never seen one of these out of the car, you're in for a shock - the glass is about half the thickness you'd expect, and is flexible enough to wave in the breeze. If its wasn't curved and bonded in place, it'd "boing" when you pressed on it.

 

IMHO, even the stock VW windshield is unusually soft

I concur. My GF's '98 I30T with 198,000 mis. just had the windshield replaced this past summer. Her OEM Nissan product lasted way longer than my OEM VW.